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01 in Luke Ocala 9/25/05 St. Paul -- Romans 8:28 For we know, that all things work together for good to them that love God. Romans 8:28 As we know, there is the annual cycle of the readings from the Apostles, as well as the Evangelists. The same text is usually repeated, year after year. Today, we heard in the Gospel lesson, that Jesus asked Peter to return his boat to the water to catch fish. And while Peter was exhausted, having told the Master, that they had fished all night without catching anything, he nonetheless bowed to the wishes of the Lord, and very soon, not far off into the waters, they caught so many fish, that they endangered their boat from the weight. Last year we did speak on today's Gospel Lesson. But, I thought of bringing to mind certain familiar passages, on which to base today's sermon. St, Paul's words quickly came to my mind. A choice verse indeed, as follows: "for we know, that all things work together for good, to them that love God." This is the 28th verse of the 8th Chapter of St. Paul's letter to the Roman. Coincidentally, when I was a Seminarian in Pomfret Center, Connecticut over 65 years ago, Fr. lakovos Koukouzis, who went on to become our Archbishop, taught us from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Romans. The course was called "exegetics," that is, the thorough analysis and explanation of that Book. As a matter of fact, this verse became one of my Biblical favorite verses from my days as a seminarian, and I so often remember, and refer to it. These words were not written by a poet or a dreamer, but by a person, who was experienced in life's vicissitudes, and no less one of the world's greatest sufferers, ---- the great and unique Apostle to the Nations, St. Paul. In writing these words, he transmits to us, as his considered judgment, that everything that happened to him, worked out for the best, because he never lost his faith, that God could bring good out of evil. It surely would be edifying, if we, as Christians would truly believe, and give the proper credence to this time-tested old statement. Let's ponder for a moment, to think of the wonderful ways, in which God brings good out of evil, and uses even troubles and trials of life for our enrichment. For one thing, when trouble comes to a Christian, it has a curious way of building character. Perhaps we can all think of men and women, whom we have known somewhat for years, who were singularly fortunate, in health, and wealth, and success. Fortune had smiled upon them, and to be honest, we sometimes may even had envied them, although there seemed to be a type of a complacency, and a shallowness of character about them, which of course, did not enthuse us. Then suddenly, as does happen, like a thunderbolt trouble came, and the curiosity was to see how they would fare with this jolt. To everyone's astonishment they rose to the occasion, and displayed qualities of strength, heroism, and tenderness that was amazing. In every way, they emerged greater, finer, and more generous persons. That is the route of course for all Christians to take. We shall never know our best selves, until we have suffered some setback in life. Our character is tested, just as gold is tested by fire! Another example of the Christian, who is beset with trouble, is, that it makes him or her, much more sympathetic toward other people, and consequently a much more useful Christian. Some years ago, I read a story of a young missionary couple in the backwoods of India, who were blessed with a beautiful little daughter, their only child. At the age of five, their angel was stricken with leprosy, and ultimately, after months of suffering died. At this point, it would have been most natural, and easy for the parents to have become cynical and rebellious, as we have so often witnessed. They might have said something like: "God is so unjust, and ungrateful. Here, we have left all he comforts back home, to come to this desolate place to serve Him. We don't seek wealth, comfort, or prestige. All we asked for, was the privilege of serving Christ, and is this our reward?" These thoughts, may have fleetingly run through their minds in the dark hours of the couple's grief, but they were dedicated Christians, worthy of their title. The core of their life was the Lord's Passion and His Cross. Instead of permitting the human thoughts and sentiments to take over, they vowed saying: "Because our little angel suffered and died of leprosy, we will do something to save other children from this dreadful disease." So they set out preaching widely, writing pamphlets and small books, and collecting money when they could Finally, they were able to erect one of the finest leper Hospitals in the world, in which thousands of children have been cured of this horrible disease. This missionary couple did not merely endure the agony of bereavement; they did something unbelievably creative, to express their love to God. They believed, as all should, that nothing truly belongs to us, even our very children, and that all gifts are given to us by God as a trust, to do the best we can, to protect and increase the trust He has given us. Trials and tribulations have the power to teach us more, about the love and power of God, than any other experience in life. When life goes well, and the skies are blue, and the sun shines brightly, it may be somewhat easy perhaps to not forget, but to not include God very much in this beautiful picture, that we are physically enjoying. On the other hand, it may be wrong for us, but so many Christians truly do turn to God, only when a major catastrophe comes our way. We seek God, only when our particular strength has failed. For this reason, many of our biggest discoveries concerning God, come when we are desperately in need, and when there is no one else to whom we could go! There are countless thousands of Christians in the world, who could say, that they never knew how loving, and how dependable God was, until they had faced some trial. There are so many examples, not only from the religious world, but also from the temporal world of individuals, who converted trials into an opportunity to be of help to society. Of course from the Old and New Testament days, followed by the three hundred years of persecutions by the Roman Emperors, the faithful to God, until the very end, showed their love to God by their personal sacrifice. Their prime example, of course, was the Lord Himself, who came to open the Gates of Heaven once again to His faithful followers. He was the ultimate in humility; He was the supreme in love, having sacrificed Himself for all humankind, for all time. A writer once wrote, "that we cannot realize the horror of sin, until we can see, what sin did to the Son of God!" How very true. Yet, our Lord Jesus so handled the situation of His Passion, having approached it in prayer, and regarding it as an opportunity to be used, rather than to be a burden to be borne; also, that in His Hands, the Cross became a shining instrument for the saving of the world, and a world-wide Symbol of God's love for humankind. For us Orthodox, the Cross has always been our inspiration and our most Sacred Symbol. But, in life, we always say that every trial or trouble we face, is a cross we have to bear. Very true. However, we must never forget, that every cross may be one of two things, --- either a tragic burden, or a great opportunity. In closing, my beloved Friends, I ask you to firmly digest the verse mentioned in this morning's sermon from St. Paul's Epistle to the Romans, "for we know, that all things work together for the good, to them that love God." 8:28. Amen. + Fr. George Papadeas
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